what type of rifle for shooting comfort?

[gunmaker]

Tim try track of the wolf.com, they have a good selection of smithing books.  I print their order form then send 'em a cash. chk.....keep my CC in my pocket. good luck, nice time a year to drive to southern Indiana--pay Mike Lange a visit "mongrel' his work shines..........Tom

[flintboomer]

Whatever you wind up buying and building you WILL make some mistakes when you build it, but so what? It will be something you made and you will (and should) be proud of it. So do some more research, look over some real guns and hold them when you get a chance, then go for it!

[Tim Ault]

Again Thanks all for the help ,encouragement and wisdom.  I will indeed do some researching and try to to locate some different rifles to get the feel of them along with getting some reading material. And not to worry I am starting with "plain and basic" As thats me in a nutshell I honestly dont like flashy fancy stocks as I always worry about scratching or dinging them at the range or in the woods as I said this is gonna be a gun that WILL be used and not just looked at.
   
   Ive been looking around and it seems my area (SW Pa) is like a black hole when it comes to traditional rifles .Anyone possibly know any shops that may deal or have some I could go and look at and get my paws on for comparison ?  Id be willing to drive some distance but just not across the state.

[Blackfeet]

I have a new favorite to add to the stable of favorites. The chopped TC New Englander just goes to point as if on instinct and shoots extremely well. I found the stock barrel length to be heavy out front. I did notice that the LOP seems shorter but the butt plate may be a factor.

[gunmaker]

I don't know of any shops in SW  Pa. making guns, I do know that area was a big rifle making area 2 cen. ago.  Sommerset, Snyder & other countys are well known for their rifle guns.  Books are available showing the diff. schools of their products.  Once you start digging into the history of American long rifles it can well become an addiction, I speak from experience.  Look around, Lots.....Tom 

[Rocklock]

Thanks for the input so far. These are two of the several Ive been looking seriously at. The southern is the one that really twinkles my eye though just like the lines of the rifle and the simple trim

http://www.avsia.com/tvm/southern.htm

http://www.avsia.com/tvm/pennsylvania_iron.htm

they both from the pictures at least seem not to have severe drop or too much curve on the butt plate.  As far as getting hands on so different rifles for comparison I dont think theres any shops in my end of the state,I am new at this so I could be wrong If anyone knows some places within an hour or so of me please let me know.

I am a huge fan of the SMR.  Shoot with the curved butt plate between the bicep and shoulder..  My most used is a 7/8 barrel in .40 and second is a 1" .50.  Both 42" long.  Yea, I like em muzzle heavy.
TC

[Tim Ault]

Well instead of getting a kit for my first rifle I ended up getting a already built gun for about what I would have spent on the parts. It's a southern mountain style with iron trim, stock has a modest sub 3" drop and buttplate has a little less than the normal southern curve to it . 36 inch 45 cal 7/8" barrel . Feels good and hangs nice offhand ,haven't had a chance to shoot it yet as there was a mishap in shipping and the toe of the stock ended up getting split so I'm hashing that out with the seller now.


Tim

[beowulf]

lets see some pics !    my southern mountain rifle is my favorite ! and it was rough when I bought it ! took lots of work to get it lookin like it does now , but I`ve been shootin it since the mid 80`s ! guns have come and gone , but that one stays ! so I`m sayin you made a good choice !

[easttexas]

Matt and Toni Avance (owners of TVM) are great people and make guns that are fine blends of historically correct and affordable. They're also very customer-friendly and happy to answer any questions you might have. If it were me I would call or e-mail them and ask about such details as the drop at heel and butt width on the models you're interested in. Explain why you're asking and they should be able to provide you with plenty of useful information to consider in making your decision. Building these things over a long period of time, as they have, gives a person a lot of insight as to what is most likely to work well for a customer, if the customer gives a good idea of what he's looking for.

A great many members here own TVM rifles and smoothbores and are very happy with them.

If I might offer a suggestion from the builder's perspective -- when making inquiries like this, at least from my standpoint e-mail works best. The phone ringing while I'm in the middle of something I really can't stop, means I'm not going to be able to pick up or to talk at length if I do pick up. E-mail allows the person you're asking to answer your questions when they have time to devote their full attention to what you want to know, and also when they send a reply you have the info in writing and don't have to worry about forgetting what was said.

i have one of matts early virginia rifles and it is by far the most comfortanle one i own, not to mention accurate, the crockett 32 is also good fer me , you will have to find what fits ya best yer ownself, one of the things cant nobody else do fer ya! a large guy and a small guy will find different things comfortable to them 

[Hanshi]

Both of those rifles are about a good as it gets.  Still have my Crockett but had to part with the EV some time back.